I received yours of June 10th,[81] for which I thank you. I want you to
be more particular. Does every member feel for us? Can they realize what
we suffer? And can they believe with what patience and fortitude we
endure the conflict? Nor do we even tremble at the frowns of power.
You inquire of me who were at the engagement at Grape Island. I may say,
with truth, all of Weymouth, Braintree, Hingham, who were able to bear
arms, and hundreds from other towns within twenty, thirty, and forty
miles of Weymouth. Our good friend, the Dr.,[82] is in a miserable state
of health, and hardly able to go from his own house to my father's.
Danger, you know, sometimes makes timid men bold. He stood that day very
well, and generously attended, with drink, biscuit, flints, etc., five
hundred men, without taking any pay. He has since been chosen one of the
committee of correspondence for that town, and has done much service by
establishing a regular method of alarm from town to town. Both your
brothers were there; your younger brother, with his company, who gained
honor by their good order that day. He was one of the first to venture
on board a schooner to land upon the island. As to Chelsea, I cannot be
so particular, as I know only in general that Colonel Putnam commanded
there, and had many gentlemen volunteers. We have two companies
stationed in this town: at Germantown, Captain Turner; at Squantum,
Captain Vinton; in Weymouth, one; in Hingham, two, etc. I believe I
shall remove your books this week to your brother's. We think it
advisable. Colonel Quincy has procured his family a retreat at Deacon
Holbrook's. Mr. Cranch has one at Major Bass's, in case of necessity, to
which we hope not to be driven. We hear that the troops destined for New
York are all expected here; but we have got to that pass that a whole
legion of them would not intimidate us. I think I am very brave, upon
the whole. If danger comes near my dwelling, I suppose I shall shudder.
We want powder, but, with the blessing of Heaven, we fear them not.
Write every opportunity you can. I am, yours,